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Thursday, February 13, 2014

Cambodia: The Temples

Cambodia is the tops.
Seriously.

I spent three days speechless (me? speechless?).

Here's the quick rundown: Cambodia is home to the lost city of Angkor. The sprawling complex (154 square miles) houses the remains/ruins of beautiful and mystical Buddhist and Hindu temples built as early as the 9th century.

For three days we lived on a steady diet of temples, eat, sleep and repeat.

I mean, wat in the world?
Bad joke. Forgive me.
The wat (temple) just above is the big kahuna. The holiest of holies.
Angkor Wat, built in the 10th century, is just wow.

We arrived at 5 a.m. to catch the sunrise.
Still jet lagged, I put my maxi skirt on inside out.
Aaaaaaaand didn't realize until three hours later.
I'd like to think I am a more glamorous version of my self when traveling, but I am the same old Stephanie.

And so the temple hopping began.

Angkor Thom and the many carved faces of Bayon.

Temples, elephants and crowds. Typical Angkor day.

Visiting Angkor Prohm AKA the Tomb Raider temple.
Nature has taken back the ruins as the tree roots conquer the structure.
It is magical.

Bless our guide's heart.
Every picture he took of us is crooked like this.
I'm beginning to think he did it on purpose....

Pano.
Cambodia is lush and green.

And just in case it seems like we were relatively alone, this ^^ is the reality.
I am scrappy in crowds and it really paid off.

The crowd is swarming at Angkor Wat for the sunrise.
Some dedicated fools had their tripods in the moat to get the coveted shot. I squatted in a maxi skirt in a pile of mud. Dedication, my friends.